Shabab Al Ahli manager Mahdi Ali has urged his players to be “mentally strong” ahead of their Pro League Cup final against Al Ain at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The Dubai club go into the game on the back of a hectic fixture list, having played six matches across three weeks in Saudi Arabia to qualify for the Asian Champions League Round of 16.
They also had to face Al Ain in the Adnoc Pro League on their return and, having lost 1-0 in that game on April 30, they meet the same opponent in a cup final four days later.
“It has been a very busy schedule but the important thing is we qualified for the Round of 16 in the continental championship,” Mahdi Ali said at the pre-match conference on Tuesday.
“Of course, physically it has been tough for the players but they need to be mentally sharp when we meet Al Ain. If you are mentally strong, you can deal with the physical aspect of the game.
“We are in a final and this the only title we can win this season. Al Ain is a strong side but I believe our team is equally good to match them.
“We had a lot of issues at the beginning of the season, dealing with injuries and late registration. We have now reached a good level and we have got momentum on our side.”
Shabab Al Ahli are chasing a sixth Cup title and should be nearly at full strength for the clash, although Mahdi Ali will have to make calls on players with injury and fatigue issues before deciding on his starting XI.
He said midfielder Majed Hassan has not fully recovered from an injury he sustained in the Asian Champions League but Argentinian Federico Cartabia is back in the training and will have a fitness test on the morning of the match.
Al Ain manager Serhiy Rebrov described the final as “one game and a title to win” for the long time leaders of the Adnoc Pro League.
“We met Shabab Al Ahli three days ago but that win against them doesn’t tell the actual story,” the Ukrainian said.
“This is one game and a title to win. We have the full squad at our disposal and our ever-present fans behind us. We have had a good season and looking forward to a good result.”
Rebrov pointed out that it has been tough for the players as they head towards the end of the season with the weather getting warmer by the day.
“At this point our focus is only on tomorrow’s final,” he said. “For now, we have stopped thinking of the league and I have told my players this is just one game.
“I have put that game we won three days ago against Shabab Al Ahli as history and looking forward to the one we are to play. We know they didn’t field their best line-up, perhaps, saving it for tomorrow. It’s going to be a close and good match.”
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Date: Sunday, November 25
The%20specs
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
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DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
